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About NUI Galway

Since 1845, NUI Galway has been sharing the highest quality teaching and research with Ireland and the world. Find out what makes our University so special – from our distinguished history to the latest news and campus developments.

News Archive

A New Generation of Storytellers Entertain at NUI Galway

Wednesday, 27 February 2008

A group of sixth class pupils took up the ancient art of story telling in front of a packed audience at NUI Galway recently. The 11 and 12 year-olds had been developing their story telling abilities in special workshops for six weeks as part of an NUI Galway Access Office programme.
The children represented three local schools: Scoil Bhríde, Shantalla; Holy Trinity Girls School, Mervue; and St Michael's Boys School, Mervue. Parents, siblings, teachers and NUI Galway staff gathered for the performance and were treated to selection of stories ranging from the comical to the scary.
Clare Murphy, who facilitated the workshops with fellow storyteller Rab Fulton, said, "By retelling old tales, and inventing their own, children engage their imagination and find confidence in their own innate storytelling abilities."
The storytelling initiative is part of the NUI Galway Access Office's schools programme Uni 4 U. The three-year structured programme of activities aims to positively promote third level education to children and their communities. The programme is a combined sport and homework initiative that promotes third level education and the value of education itself, as well as improving sporting techniques and skills.
Speaking at the event, Vice President for Strategic and External Affairs at NUI Galway, Professor Gerard Hurley, said "Storytelling is part of the Irish tradition that we want to encourage it in the next generation. We also want to encourage younger children to consider third level education and to feel comfortable in its environment."
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New Research Team at NUI Galway to Focus on Bioelectronics

Monday, 25 February 2008

The National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science (NCBES) at NUI Galway has launched a new Bioelectronics Research Cluster. With over 20 researchers, the Bioelectronics Research Cluster will focus on Electronic Engineering solutions to medical problems, several of which are associated with ageing.
The research cluster draws on the full range of technical epertise at NUI Galway's Department of Electronic Engineering. The research group was officially launched by Harvard Medical School academic and Biomedical Engineer Professor Paolo Bonato.
One of the key technologies to be developed by the Bioelectronics Research Cluster is known as 'Wearable Electronics for Health Management'. The team will develop a range of body-worn electronic devices to monitor a person's health status and transmit this information on an on-going basis to their health care providers.
Patient trials are about to commence on a wearable muscle stimulation device, developed by the Bioelectronics Research Cluster, for the treatment of venous leg ulcers. Older people are particularly susceptible to venous leg ulcers if they have been immobilised for a sustained period.
The Bioelectronics Research Cluster is also currently investigating wearable electronics systems for fall detection in the elderly, the management of diabetic foot, gait correction following stroke and mobility monitoring in the elderly.
Professor Gearóid Ó Laighin, Bioelectronics Research Cluster leader at the NCBES, NUI Galway, said "It is generally expected that a significantly increased use of electronic and other technologies will be required to provide an efficient healthcare delivery system in the face of ongoing demographic change. In 2001, 17% of the European Union (EU) was aged over 65, however it is estimated that by the year 2035 this figure will have reached 33%. Therefore healthcare delivery methods will need to be adapted to meet the challenges posed by these changing demographics, while constrained by limited resources."
It is anticipated that this approach to healthcare management will facilitate elderly persons continuing to live in their own home, while having the sense of wellbeing associated with knowing that their health status is being automatically monitored on an on-going basis and that in the event of a medical emergency, assistance will be automatically sought by the system.
The Bioelectronics Research Cluster at the NCBES also has a significant research activity in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Engineering for Cancer.
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GMIT and NUI Galway Collaborate On Driving Knowledge Region

Monday, 25 February 2008

NUI Galway and GMIT have formed a strategic alliance to develop Galway and surrounding areas into a recognised "Knowledge Region".
Together they have secured funding of €824,000 under the Strategic Innovation Fund, which supports Higher Education reform. The funding will be used to stimulate economic development, provide a greater range of services to communities, business and industry, and enable people to avail of higher education in the region.
This concerted collaborative approach to regional development will deliver greater benefits than could be achieved by implementing parallel programmes.
Professor Jim Browne, Registrar and Deputy-President of NUI Galway, welcomed the announcement saying; "The concept of a 'Knowledge Region' is an emerging phenomenon involving the interaction of governmental agencies, knowledge based enterprises and third-level institutions to combine efforts and define common agendas to the benefit of the region. NUI Galway and GMIT, with their history of cooperation and interaction with industry, development agencies and social and cultural organisations in the Galway area, are well placed to act together as a catalyst for further development".
Marion Coy, President of GMIT, said: "This strategic alliance is timely in view of the recent push to pour more investment into the eastern region, particularly as there is concern at the lack of focus, and a sense of urgency, around the implementation of the National Spatial Strategy."
"Together we will seek to identify services we can offer, look at the expansion of our academic programmes and engage in the joint promotion of higher education in international markets which has potential in relation to the development of tourism. We will also seek to identify how we can promote the region as a centre for new business development and growth."
"Developing a knowledge region is the only way to ensure that community life will continue to thrive. This approach harks back to the 'Meitheal' and the belief that we will all be stronger and more successful when we work together, share a vision and drive forward the good of the region," added the GMIT President.
The NUI Galway and GMIT collaborative project is one of a range of proposals approved for SIF funding. GMIT was also approved SIF funding worth over €4m for two further projects, both of which will be led by the Institute - "Student-Led Learning" and "Curriculum Reform", which is also a joint collaborative project with NUI Galway.
The Strategic Innovation Fund allocated a further €3 million to NUI Galway for the continuation of its academic reorganisation and the development of graduate schools. NUI Galway expects to be a major beneficiary of funds reserved under the SIF initiative for major IT systems development towards transforming the student experience in a cohesive and integrated manner.
Professor Browne added that the funding provided to NUI Galway in support of its new academic structures and graduate education was evidence of the progress being made by the University in both areas.
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Bank of Ireland Scholar Joins Irish Centre for Human Rights

Monday, 25 February 2008

The Irish Centre for Human Rights at NUI Galway has officially welcomed this year's Bank of Ireland Fellowship Scholar, Dr. Abou Abass from Mauritania. Since 2001, the Fellowship has allowed the Centre to host scholars from developing countries. The aim of the fellowship is to support academically gifted individuals, providing them with an environment in which they can undertake research and increase their knowledge in the field of Human Rights and International Criminal law.
At the Irish Centre for Human Rights, Dr. Abass will pursue research on the subject of Africa and the International Criminal Court, while lecturing a course on Gender and Human Rights. Dr. Abou Abass holds a PhD in Law from the University of Paul Cezanne in Aix-en-Provence, France. Prior to taking office as Bank of Ireland fellow, Dr. Abass has spent six months at the Hague, the Netherlands, working as a Law Clerk at the Legal Advisory Section of the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.
According to Kathleen Cavanaugh of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at NUI Galway, "Since 2001 the Bank of Ireland Fellowship Scholar scheme has supported five scholars from countries such as Mauritania, Nigeria, Ghana and Bangladesh. Through this support, uniquely talented and gifted people have benefited from working with the Irish Centre for Human Rights in Galway. In equal part, we have gained much from the scholarship programme and look forward to working this year with Dr. Abass."
The Irish Centre for Human Rights is one of the world's premier university-based institutions for the study and promotion of human rights and humanitarian law. Since its establishment in January 2000, the NUI Galway Centre has developed a global reputation for excellence in the field of human rights teaching, research and advocacy, which has enabled the institution to attract high quality students to its acclaimed Masters programmes and to build a thriving community of doctoral researchers.
The Irish Centre for Human Rights presently offers LL.M. programmes in International Human Rights Law, and International Peace Support Operations and has a Cross-Border Programme in Human Rights Law (LL.M.) and Human Rights and Criminal Justice (MSSc/LL.M.), in conjunction with Queens University of Belfast. This year the Irish Centre for Human Rights offers a new LL.M. programme in International Criminal Law.
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New Irish Language MA in Conference Interpreting at NUI Galway

Friday, 22 February 2008

NUI Galway is offering a new Masters Degree through Irish in Conference Interpreting (MA Ateangaireacht Chomhdhála), the first of its kind in Ireland. The course has been designed in direct response to Irish becoming an official language of the European Union and the resulting demand for professionals with recognised qualifications in Irish language interpreting and translation.
The M.A. programme will be taught through Irish and, in addition to Irish and English, students with a high level of French and Irish will have the opportunity to use French while studying this M.A. The course is based on the European Masters in Conference Interpreting, a programme developed in conjunction with institutions of the European Union and offered in 18 universities across Europe. Devised by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, NUI Galway's dedicated structure for the provision of third level courses through Irish, the M.A. will be delivered in An Cheathrú Rua in the heart of the Connemara Gaeltacht.
Eoin Ó Droighneáin, Programme Director, believes the career prospects for graduates will be very good, "The European Union urgently needs to recruit highly trained and qualified Irish language interpreters. The MA Ateangaireacht Chomhdhála is designed to educate and prepare students for a career as a professional conference interpreter. Students will also be trained in the specialised skills of interpreting, leaving them in a strong position to secure prestigious employment on completing the course".
The subjects covered in the MA Ateangaireacht Chomhdhála will include Conference Interpreting, simultaneous and consecutive Interpreting, the European Union and International Organisations, as well as the Theory and Practice of Interpreting. The programme will also cover memory exercises, sight translation, note-taking skills, mock conferences, glossaries for technical meetings, voice coaching, and booth etiquette. Students will have the opportunity to visit EU institutions to see at first hand the work of international interpreters.
Applications are now being accepted for this full-time one-year course which will begin in September 2008 with a maximum intake of 12 students. Other postgraduate courses in Irish on offer at NUI Galway, include the: M.A. in Language Planning; M.A. in Teaching Methodology (An Ghaeilge); Higher Diploma in Drama; and the Higher Diploma in Applied Communications. In addition to the taught programmes, the NUI Galway's Acadamh offers a research scholarship programme in Information Technology.
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Irish & UK Employers Feature at NUI Galway Teaching Careers Fair

Friday, 22 February 2008

The NUI Galway Teaching Careers Fair takes place on Wednesday, 27 February, 2008, from 5-7pm in Áras na Mac Léinn. The event is aimed at those interested in a career in teaching, whether they are graduates, current or prospective students of the Postgraduate Diploma in Education.
Over 20 exhibitors will attend, including employers such as County Galway VEC, County Wicklow VEC and Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh. UK employers including Red Teachers, MPS Education, Mossbourne Community College, Protocol Education and UTeach Recruitment are also travelling to the event to showcase employment opportunities for the next academic year.
NUI Galway's exhibition stand will provide information on the Postgraduate Diploma in Education programme. Education providers from the UK, such as St. Mary's College in Twickenham, will be available to discuss vacancies on Postgraduate Certificate in Education courses in the UK.
Deirdre Sheridan, of NUI Galway's Career Development Centre, says this is an excellent one-stop-shop for those interested in teaching, "For graduates and current students, employers will be taking CVs on the day as well as hosting interviews on campus in the days following the event. For those considering undertaking a postgraduate teaching qualification, there will be presentations highlighting the different entry routes to a career in teaching from both an Irish and UK perspective."
Information providers will also have a presence at the event with the Teaching Council, and ASTI, the second level teachers union, listed to attend.
For a full list of exhibitors visit www.nuigalway.ie/careers
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Political Discussion on EU Reform Treaty at NUI Galway

Thursday, 21 February 2008

From Galway to Lisbon – What's in it for Ireland?
The NUI Galway Political Discussion Society (PDS) will host a debate on the EU Reform Treaty Debate entitled 'From Galway to Lisbon – What's in it for Ireland?' The debate is to take place on Monday, 25 February, 2008 at 8pm in the O Flaherty Theatre at NUI Galway.
The event includes a line-up of national speakers: Leader of Fine Gael, Deputy Enda Kenny T.D.; Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív T.D.; President of the Labour Party, Deputy Michael D. Higgins T.D.; Leader of the Socialist Party, Joe Higgins; Declan Ganley of the Libertas Campaign; and Patricia McKenna of the People's Movement. The panel discussion will be chaired by President of NUI Galway, Dr. Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh.
The society hopes that this debate, which will be the largest to be held in Ireland to date on the matter, will encourage awareness among students and the general public on the key issue of the EU Reform Treaty. The meeting will be free and open to both students and public alike. As capacity is limited, those wishing to attend the meeting are advised to come early to avoid disappointment.
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Appointment of Professor Jim Browne as University President

Friday, 15 February 2008

The Governing Authority (Údarás na hOllscoile) of National University of Ireland, Galway has today (15 February 2008) announced the appointment of Professor Jim Browne (55) as the incoming President of the University. Currently Registrar and Deputy-President at NUI Galway, Professor Browne's appointment will come into effect on 6 March 2008. Professor Browne will be the twelfth President of the University and his term will be for ten years.
Commenting, the Chairman of the Selection Board appointed by the Governing Authority, Dr Noel Dorr, said; "Professor Browne is a distinguished academic with very wide international contacts and experience of other Universities in Europe, the US, Asia and Latin America. He has a personal record of research and an understanding of the importance of promoting it in the University. He combines this with a strong commitment to upholding the traditional values of the University across all of the sciences and the humanities and to developing and enhancing its primary role as an educational institution. In his present post as Registrar and Deputy-President he has been deeply involved in necessary and important changes to the structure and functioning of the University which have been achieved on a basis of participation, to the benefit of both staff and students. It is widely recognised that, in this and other ways, he has made a major contribution to the progress and the success of NUI Galway over the past seven years".
Concluding, he said: "The post of University President in Ireland today is one of very particular responsibility. It calls for leadership of a high order in shaping the development of the University over the decade ahead. In particular it calls for a capacity to respond creatively and sensitively to regional and national needs while respecting and upholding the traditional educational function of the University as such. It is for these reasons that the Selection Board tasked by the Governing Authority to select a new President, unanimously recommended the appointment of Professor Jim Browne. We wish him the very best in what will be a challenging and rewarding role."
Dr Dorr also paid tribute to Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh for his tremendous achievements during his successful tenure as President of NUI Galway since 2000.
Professor Browne, a native of Athlone, Co Westmeath, and an engineering graduate of NUI Galway, is a former Dean of Engineering (1996 - 2001) and, for the past seven years, Registrar and Deputy-President of the University. He has a record of achievement in academic leadership, strategic planning and change management within NUI Galway. Professor Browne has published over 200 academic papers and 15 books. He was awarded the degree DSc by the University of Manchester for published work in 1990, is a member of the Royal Irish Academy and the Irish Academy of Engineering.
Professor Browne's leadership roles include: member of the editorial board of a number of international research journals; member of Irish Universities Quality Board since 2004; senior Vice-President of Engineers Ireland; Member of the Senate of the National University of Ireland since 2001; member of the Health and Social Care Professionals Council; member of the Board of CAO; Member of the EPSRC Review Group on Engineering Research Centres in the UK; member of the Board of the Galway University Foundation since 2001; and Member of the Board of Music for Galway. Professor Browne also has considerable experience of working with overseas Universities, public and private bodies. Professor Browne is married to Maeve; they have four children.
The appointment was made following an extensive national and international search, with professional assistance through a Search Committee. The selection process was conducted by a distinguished Selection Board. Both bodies were chaired in a non-voting capacity by Dr Noel Dorr, Cathaoirleach of Údarás na hOllscoile. The examination in Irish was conducted by a Bord Gaeilge. All three bodies had significant external as well as internal membership.
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